Large congregation makes up for empty chapel

When the newly-ordained Father Michael Keogh SDB celebrated his first Mass, it was in an empty chapel with no one in the congregation. Only two Salesians were present who served this Latin Mass.

Fifty years later to the day, 26 June 2010, a large gathering of family, friends, parishioners, guests and confreres came to the regular Saturday evening vigil Mass at St.JohnBoscoChurch, Brooklyn Park. South Australia. Members of Fr.Michael’s family from Victoria and Queensland were present, particularly his sister Kathleen. At the end of Mass, Fr.Michael joined three other parishioners and as a quartet sang a hymn in Latin, Laudate Dominium (Praise the Lord).

The Archbishop of Adelaide, Most Rev. Philip Wilson DD, JCL, came from another function to join in the celebration which included many from the Indian Catholic community and others, at the reception in the St.Mary Mazzarello Memorial Complex. Archbishop Wilson not only gave his own blessing, but also presented the golden Jubiliarian with the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI.

A talented parishioner at St.John Bosco Parish organised the evening’s function from the Indian catering, the live entertainment, a presentation of the life and vocation of Fr.Michael, plus recorded audio and video messages from overseas Salesians and local friends who could were unable to be in Adelaide on the day.

Michael was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stephen Ferrando SDB, bishop of the Diocese of Shillong in north east India, on 26 June 1960. Fr.Michael worked in numerous places in India and Australia including Park Circus, Bandel and Liluah (Kolkata), Krishnagar (West Bengal); Engadine, Sunbury, Chadstone, Brooklyn Park, Port Pirie, Victoria Park, and Kelmscott.